There are dozens of new miles of bike trails and “bikeways” for those ready

Songbird, W Illinois St & N Franklin St, Chicago, IL

I'm back from vacation! Europe was wonderful and has lots of infrastructure elements I would love to see brought to Chicago. Look out next week for travel photos!

Lauren rides a 1960's Schwinn Jaguar cruiser rebuild from craigslist.

What are you wearing?This dress is a resale find and the flats are from Diana's shoesMake/model color of your bike, and where you got it?This is Bruiser the Cruiser. It's a 1960's Schwinn Jaguar frame - a good craigslist find that I powder-coated and re-built. I started riding it when I resolved to stop living my life as a teenage boy on a fixed gear with a giant messenger bag, and started embracing adult womanhood. I've never looked back.Where are you going? I'm on my way to work.Why ride? There are a million reasons - I'm no Republican.

The best thing about a biking commute is getting a chance to be outside and get a little wild before and after the tameness of sitting at work all day - I strongly recommend this ritual to anyone concerned about becoming a work zombie!Favorite ride?My favorite ride is any ride where the wind is at my back. A rare and beautiful phenomenon.While riding you …?whistle, get a good look at things.How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or be more bike friendly?I think the city needs to take a little more responsibility for raising awareness. Post signs about the separated bike lanes - people don't realize they're about to cut off a bike when they turn across them. Actually, more signs about watching out for bikes in general. There should be a sentence on every parking sign about looking before you fling your car door open too.